Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 1. A lazy man may be compared to a filthy stone, And everyone hisses at his dishonor. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 2. A lazy man may be compared to the filth of manure; Everyone who picks it up will shake it off his hand.
A Father's Disgrace
Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 3. The disgrace of a father is begetting an undisciplined son, And a foolish daughter is born to his loss. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 4. A sensible daughter will bring an inheritance to her husband, But a shameful one is a grief to her father. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 5. An arrogant daughter shames both father and husband, And she will be dishonored by both. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 6. An ill-timed statement is like mournful music, But the chastising and instruction of wisdom are always timely.
The Fool
Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 7. He who teaches a fool is like one who glues pottery together, Or like trying to arouse one from a sound sleep. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 8. He who tells something to a fool tells it to a drowsy man, And at the end he will say, “What is it?” Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 9. If children live honestly, and have wherewithal, They shall cover the baseness of their parents. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 10. But children, being haughty, through disdain and want of nurture Stain the nobility of their kindred. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 11. Weep for a dead man, for he left the light behind; But weep over a fool, for he left intelligence behind. Weep gladly for a dead man, because he is at rest; But the life of the fool is worse than death. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 12. Mourning for a dead man lasts seven days, But mourning for a fool or an ungodly man lasts all his life. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 13. Do not hold a conversation with a fool, And do not visit with a senseless man. Beware of him, so as to avoid trouble, And you will not be defiled when he shakes himself off. Stay away from him, and you will find rest And not be exhausted by his insanity. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 14. What will be heavier than lead? And what will be his name but “Fool”? Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 15. Sand, salt, and a piece of iron are easier to bear Than a senseless man. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 16. A wooden beam bound together in a building Will not be broken loose in an earthquake; So a heart strengthened by reasonable counsel Will not be afraid in a crisis. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 17. A heart settled on intelligent thought Is like a plaster decoration on a smooth wall. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 18. As fences set on a high place will not stand firm against the wind, So a cowardly heart in the thought of a fool Cannot stand firm against any kind of fear.
Building Friendships
Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 19. He who pokes his eye will cause tears to fall, And he who pierces a heart reveals its feeling. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 20. Throwing a rock at birds scares them away, And disgracing a friend will break up a friendship. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 21. If you draw a sword against a friend, Do not despair, for a restoration of friendship is possible. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 22. If you open your mouth against a friend, Do not worry, for reconciliation is possible. But as for reviling or arrogance or revealing secrets or a treacherous blow— with behavior like this any friend will flee. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 23. Gain your neighbor's trust when he is poor, So you may be fulfilled with him when he prospers. Stand by him in his time of trouble, That when he gets his inheritance, you may share it with him. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 24. As the smoke and vapor of a furnace precede a fire, So abuses precede bloodshed. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 25. I will not be ashamed to shelter a friend, And I will not hide from his face. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 26. If anything bad happens to me because of him, Everyone who hears about it will beware of him. Wisdom of Sirach 22, verse 27. Who will set a guard over my mouth, And a prudent seal over my lips, That I may not fall because of them, And that my tongue may not destroy me?